|
Dear Praying Friends,
We begin our Prayer Letter this time by quoting the following passage as it means so much to us in our situation:
Zechariah 13:9 "I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'This is My people'; and each one will say, 'The Lord is my God.'"
Health:
Elida has had health challenges yet again. She has battled with headaches and lack of sleep, which have necessitated her hospitalization for six days. Upon discharge, we took one week away for rest in the village. It was such a great encouragement to have Pastor Sam O. of Grace Baptist Church - Kisumu and his family come to visit us in the village. We have just returned back to Eldoret.
The whole experience has been difficult and made us feel like we are silver going through refiner's furnace. However, joy and comfort come from the consideration that The LORD Himself is the Refiner and His eyes do not move a way even for a second from watching over our situation. The moment His face is clearly reflected upon us is the very moment we are withdrawn from His fire. So, to this we say 'Amen!'
Baptisms:
Six people are set to be baptised this Lord's Day coming. It is our great joy to see these young men and women desire to obey the Lord in this way. They have given very clear testimonies to the church and it is our prayer that they will upon baptism receive the assurance that comes with it. These have been difficult times in our church's experience. To have these six professing faith and coming forward with a desire for baptism is such an encouragement. They are: Queenvel (daughter to Naphtally's cousin's), Irene (working for the A. family), Cynthia (wife to Wilfred who is a member), Henry (a young man in college), and Charles and his wife Maurine. Please pray for them.
First Anniversary:
It was a great joy as over one hundred and twenty people gathered together in our "Tent of Meeting" on 14th November. We praised the Lord who has brought us this far as a church and then looked to Him in prayer for the way forward. Visitors came from different churches including Nairobi. Sukesh P. preached a clear gospel message for all the world. His message was from the first letter of Paul to Timothy chapter one verses twelve to fifteen.
He gave three answers to the question: "Why is the gospel a glorious gospel?" The Church began with seventeen members. At the close of one year, the Lord had increased our number to thirty-two. But five have now relocated while two have been excommunicated due to unrepentant life style.
The A.'s on Leave:
David & Liz A. are proceeding on leave from 7th December. We are very thankful to the Lord for them and the ministry they have had among us. We pray that they will be able to have full rest and a time of full recovery after these very traumatic times. During their absence, Les & Ann B. will be visiting Eldoret for one month. Les will be sharing in the ministry with Naphtally. Ann will speak at the Ladies Fellowship. Four young ladies from UK will also visit during this December for two weeks and will hold Holiday Bible Clubs with our young people. We rejoice at the Lord's goodness to us in this way.
Other Ministries:
In the first week of November, Graham J. organized a "Men's Conference" in Kisumu City. Over forty men from different churches attended. The teachings were very profitable and fellowship among the participants was rich. Among others, Naphtally gave a paper on "Christ our Prophet" and led workshops on Paul letter to the Galatians.
In the second week of November, representatives from our three churches (Grace Baptist Church - Kisumu, Injili Bible Church - Kawangware, Nairobi, and Grace Baptist Church - Eldoret), met in Nakuru for fellowship, prayer and to plan for future ministries together. We are meeting under the name 'Reformed Baptist Movement in Kenya' (ReBMiK). We are preparing to begin producing a Reformed Magazine targeting pastors, church workers and theological students mainly in Kenya. The first issue is set to be ready in January 2010 dealing with the theme of 'Love'.
Tim:
We thank the Lord who has kept and blessed our son Tim at Atlantic College in South Wales UK since September. He has settled in well. He has had the good intention to write and send out a news letter but due to pressure of work, he did not manage! We ask those who had expressed the desire to receive this to be just a little patient. He hopes to accomplish his intention during the December holidays. He will be staying mainly with our friends (Leonard & Delyth J.) of Freeschool Court Evangelical Church in Bridgend where he is spiritually cared for.
National Issues:
The great issues that still weigh on our country are the politics ruining the rain catchment areas (Mau Forest), the Constitutional review and the Cholera outbreak mainly in the remote and under developed areas of Turkana. Sadly, there is no clear end in view to any of these.
In summary, we kindly ask that you pray for us:
- Praise the Lord for Helida's healing and pray for more strength.
- Pray for the six who will be baptised this Lord's Day (6th November).
- Pray for David A.'s family as they travel back to UK for holiday.
- Pray for the UK visitors among us in December and blessings from their ministry.
- Pray for our country in its physical, health and spiritual needs.
We value your prayers.
Naphtally & Helida O.
|
